It is almost three weeks since Ariffin Mohammad, better known as Ayah Pin, dropped out of sight from Kampung Batu 13 near Jerteh in Hulu Besut. His first wife, Che Minah Remeli, is also 'missing'.

No one, not even his three other wives have seen or heard from them since a raid by the Terengganu religious affairs department on July 20.

Enforcement authorities are reportedly in relentless pursuit of him, raising his status as the most-wanted man in Terengganu. Police in neighbouring states are also reportedly looking for him.

His followers, however, remain steadfast in their belief that he has committed no wrong just like them. Forty-five followers were yesterday charged for syariah offences.

Ayah Pin's three wives, Che Jaharah Awang, Ruzilan Mokhtar and Nik Kamariah Nik Pah, were charged Tuesday for the same offences as the followers under section 10 of the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment 2001.

Ruzilan said her husband has always advised followers to be patient and non-confrontational in times of trouble.

"He has always advised us to be good, law-abiding citizens. He always told us to remain calm even when provoked to avoid bigger problems," she told malaysiakini when met at the commune last night.

Che Jaharah said she last saw her husband on the Sunday, about 24 hours before a dawn attack by mobsters on July 18.

"I haven't seen or heard from him since. I hope he is okay," she said with a smile, confident that he will return soon.

God's will

Defying the typical notion of a loving wife pining for her missing husband, she was more concerned about the rumoured demolition of houses where over 100 people now live.

"That is my immediate concern because many people here really have nowhere to go. The rest had sold off their properties to relocate here years ago," she added, her expression withdrawn.

Ayah Pin's youngest wife remained silent, allowing the two older ones to speak.

"We left Kampung Batu 13 on July 22 because we were told to leave. So, we went to Tumpat (Kelantan) and stayed there.

"It was both to protect the village and our lives. Everyone was already traumatised by that Monday's mob attack and was living in fear."

All three said they were not worried about possible action against them.

"We leave everything to God. There's nothing else we can do. We believe we have done nothing wrong but the authorities have the power to do anything they want, and they have proven it," said Che Jaharah.

"We can only appeal to them, especially the Besut land office, not to demolish our houses. We truly appeal to them not to do it."

No structure standing

The terraced landscape in the center of the village has been practically flattened after the four-day demolition exercise and now lies in pitch darkness.

The circular tracks of tractor and truck tyres are nothing more than muddy puddles now. Pieces of the bright-yellow roof over the umbrella tower replica were strewn everywhere.

Blocks of roman pillars and ballustrades were scattered at the edges of where the Sky Kingdom centerpiece once stood, framed by the followers' houses.

Steel and iron rods were jutting from the ground. A crumpled footrug lay muddied at the site of the main hall.

The mighty structures are only marked by the bits and pieces of building material used in their construction.

The circular dais where Ayah Pin used to sit during regular weekend gatherings and main events looked almost intact, covered by dust, debris and broken marble.

The authorities - the Besut district council, Public Works Department and the Besut land office - reportedly remarked how sturdy and solid the concrete-and-marble structures had been based on the difficulty of tearing them down.

The fenced-up grave of Mohamad Ya, or Ustaz Ya, at one corner of the commune is the only 'built-up space' left untouched.

A follower known as Che Nah, who claims Ayah Pin changed her life and her husband's for the better, related how the religious authorities duped them into going to the police station on July 20.

"We had no idea where they were taking us until we got to the police station and were asked to give a statement and make bail arrangements.

"They asked us to go with them for a discussion and we believed them because Ayah Pin always advises us to dialogue with others regardless of race or religion."

More complaints of human rights violations or procedural discrepancies are expected as the followers try to re-coup their emotional, physical and spiritual losses.

While the authorities prepare their case, Ayah Pin's diehard followers know that they face an uncertain future at the commune, in the world outside or possibly life in prison.